Country profile

Estonia

Europe & Central AsiaHigh income1.37M inhabitants

Last updated December 22, 2025

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Composite GEFRI Score

Progressing readiness

Estonia shows progressing readiness (90th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

73.29Composite score
Global percentile
90th
Global rank
#19
Regional rank
#12
Viewing data for
Infrastructure
76.26
97th percentileGlobal avg. 56.42
Human Capital
59.70
81st percentileGlobal avg. 46.98
Innovation
62.72
85th percentileGlobal avg. 42.60
Governance
81.36
92nd percentileGlobal avg. 47.71
Access & Parity
86.43
80th percentileGlobal avg. 50.60

Country profile

Estonia ranks among the world’s most future-ready systems. Every GEFRI dimension performs well above global norms, with notable strengths in Governance (81, 92nd percentile) and Infrastructure (76, 97th percentile). This profile reflects sustained investment in innovation, equitable access, and system-wide capability.

Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation.

A large research workforce accelerates experimentation, technology adoption, and applied innovation. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.

Regionally, Estonia leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.

Note: Most indicators rely on observed data, offering a dependable evidence base for decisions.

Key insights

  • Ranks in the 90th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
  • Places 19th worldwide.
  • Holds a regional position of 12th within Europe & Central Asia.
  • Scores range from Access & Parity (86.4) to Human Capital (59.7), reflecting variation across dimensions.
  • Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.

Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia

Composite GEFRI score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
11Denmark82.00
42Switzerland78.09
63Netherlands77.83
74Sweden77.29
85United Kingdom77.03
96Austria76.84
107Finland76.84
128Germany76.42
139Norway76.31
1510France75.63
1811Portugal73.38
1912Estonia73.29
2213Czechia72.28
2314Iceland72.00
2415Slovenia71.90
2516Lithuania71.83
2617Belgium71.76
2718Ireland71.34
2819Poland71.15
2920Spain70.41
3021Luxembourg70.23
3122Italy70.15
3323Greece69.96
3524Cyprus69.32
3625Latvia68.81
——LiechtensteinMicrostate68.27
3726Hungary66.71
3827Croatia66.50
——San MarinoMicrostate64.62
——GibraltarMicrostate64.49
——AndorraMicrostate64.13
4028Bulgaria63.95
4329Moldova63.48
4430Serbia63.27
4631Turkiye62.68
——MonacoMicrostate62.44
4832Slovak Republic61.61
5133Montenegro60.77
5234Armenia60.50
——Channel IslandsMicrostate60.45
5435Albania60.15
——Isle of ManMicrostate60.00
5536Russian Federation59.93
——Faroe IslandsMicrostate59.77
5737Kazakhstan59.29
5838Georgia58.71
6039North Macedonia58.45
6140Belarus57.83
6941Uzbekistan56.65
7042Bosnia and Herzegovina56.62
——GreenlandMicrostate56.39
7843Romania54.34
8044Kyrgyz Republic54.07
8845Kosovo51.19
9246UkraineFCS50.59
10047Azerbaijan48.44
10448Turkmenistan46.09
10749Tajikistan43.87